Spectral Storytelling Sojourns with Madame DuBois

08/10/2026

08/08/2026

🛒 Arvada History Throwback Thursday: The First King Soopers!

Did you know the very first King Soopers opened right here in Arvada?

On June 16, 1947, founder Lloyd King opened his first King Soopers market in the new Ashton Building at Church and Alder Streets—today’s W. 57th Avenue and Webster Street in Olde Town Arvada.

The market was 4,500 square feet and opened with 11 full-time employees. Lloyd King was an innovator, introducing something shoppers take for granted today: self-service packaged meat displayed in refrigerated cases.

The Olde Town store served the community from 1947 to 1957. A new King Soopers later opened at W. 58th Avenue and Independence Street, and many more followed. Today, King Soopers is part of Kroger.

🏪 From one neighborhood market in Arvada to a name known across Colorado and the U.S. —that’s quite an Arvada story!

Do you remember shopping at an early King Soopers? What do you remember most? Share your memories or photos with us!

06/26/2026

Corridor 44
1433 Larimer Street

The restaurant is housed in a century-old building that once sported a popular speakeasy during the Prohibition era. Legend has it that the spirit, known as Amelia, a retired showgirl, was married to the shady character who owned the illegal tavern and brothel. When their daughter, Ginger, began to date a boy that her father didn’t approve of, he used his underworld connections to kill him. However, the hitman took out not only the boy but also their daughter, Ginger. Amelia was sitting in the rear of the speakeasy when she heard the news and was so distraught that she hung herself in the brothel — but her grief didn't end with her death. Today, this area houses the women’s restroom, where the mirror has been broken so many times; staff no longer considers it a coincidence. Other odd things also occur on a regular basis such as liquor bottles that seemingly turn over by themselves, chairs that inexplicably move from one side of the room to the other, and many who are said to glimpse or feel her presence. There's a framed photo of the former showgirl in Corridor 44's basement featuring glass that shatters on its own. Hallways creak mysteriously, and unexpected whiffs of perfume linger in the air… but the food and cocktails are of course the real stars here!! An absolutely delicious experience every time!!

06/25/2026

06/25/2026

Everyday is Halloween!👻

05/14/2026

Looking north near Iliff Avenue between South Fillmore Street and South Milwaukee Street in Observatory Park (1895) & (2026)

“Ingenious and powerful instruments have been devised, which reveal wonders otherwise unimagined, and the end is not yet.” Herbert A. Howe, the first professor of astronomy at the University of Denver.

Chamberlin Observatory was the vision of 3 men: Herbert A. Howe, Denver businessman Humphrey Chamberlin who pledged $50,000 to build and equip the facility, and local architect Robert S. Roeschlaub.

It was commissioned for the University of Denver in 1888. Construction on the red sandstone Richardsonian Romanesque-style building, with an imposing silvery dome of galvanized iron began in 1890. The astronomical design was done by Howe, featuring a Clark-Saegmuller refractor, a 26-foot-long telescope made from steel, cast iron, and brass, which holds a 20-inch doublet lens constructed by Alvan Clark & Sons. It first saw light in 1894.

The observatory was built in the era of steam trains and horse-drawn wagons. The red sandstone was quarried from Lyons, Colorado, and wood from Oregon timber. The dome was engineered to rotate 360°.

Owned and maintained by the University of Denver, Chamberlin Observatory has been home to the Denver Astronomical Society since 1949. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, the Observatory inspires the next generation of astronomers by serving as an educational facility for students and the public. They host regular public viewing nights, where visitors can see celestial objects like the moon, planets, and nebulae.

It stands as strong as ever as a testament and symbol of scientific inquiry. The beautiful view of the heavens belongs to a bygone era, but still provides the ability to extend our vision to help us better understand the universe we live in. 🖤

04/07/2026

Visiting old friends at Fairmount Cemetery 🖤👻